Awarded to the film deemed by Cosmo voters to be the best movie released in the United States in 2022, regardless of genre. Films that received limited release in 2023 are still eligible for consideration, provided that they received sufficient distribution early enough in 2023 to have a chance to be seen by Cosmo voters. However, films that were only screened at film festivals are generally only considered at the year they were first released in theaters or on video. The following films have received critical acclaim and are rumored to be contenders for other major awards, but are presented only as ideas and voters should not feel limited to this list.

The Best Director candidates are not selected by nominations from Cosmo voters. Instead, they are selected through a formula that considers their nominations and wins at the major movie awards (Golden Globes, BAFTAs, Directors Guild of America, and the Oscars, among others) as well as the number of nominations their film received at the Cosmos. The Cosmo nominees are weighted to better emphasize categories over which the director has the greatest influence, to somewhat reduce the influence of niche categories, and to add a penalty for negative nominations.

Awarded to the film deemed by Cosmo voters to have the best script for an eligible 2023 film. No distinction is made between original versus adapted screenplays. The following films have received critical acclaim and are rumored to be contenders for other major screenwriting awards, but are presented only as ideas and voters should not feel limited to this list.

Awarded to the film deemed by Cosmo voters to have the best cinematography or set design for an eligible 2023 film. Cinematography covers the actual filming of scene, including the choice of cameras and lenses, camera angles, lighting design and placement, and the like. Set Design, which falls under the purview of the Art Director, involves the creation of sets and the use of furnishings and props within the set. Taken together, Cosmo voters consider this category to be the visual appeal of the film separate from special effects and costuming. The following films have received critical acclaim and are rumored to be contenders for other major related awards, but are presented only as ideas and voters should not feel limited to this list.

Awarded to the film deemed by Cosmo voters to have the best costume design or make-up for an eligible 2023 film. This covers anything that the performers wear, including clothing, wigs, prosthetics, make-up, and the like. The following films have received critical acclaim and are rumored to be contenders for other major related awards, but are presented only as ideas and voters should not feel limited to this list.

Awarded to the film deemed by Cosmo voters to have the best visual effects for an eligible 2023 film. This covers any extraordinary effects used in the film other than costumes and make-up, including those that are staged and filmed (such as a car crash), those that are filmed using miniatures or stop-action, and those that are imposed digitally after filming is done. The following films are presented only as ideas and voters should not feel limited to this list.

Awarded to the 2023 film that voters secretly enjoyed despite its low-brow appeal. These are typically films they would not consider nominating for a major category, though they might be appropriate for some of the niche categories. Of course, what one voter considers to be a guilty pleasure, another might embrace without shame. Voters should not feel limited to the following suggested films.

Awarded to the 2023 film deemed to have used nudity in either an effective or gratuitous way. This can include any degree and form of either male or female nudity. The following films have been culled from lists of 2023 films with nudity, but are presented only as ideas and voters should not feel limited to this list.